It’s incredible that we will look back at Zion Williamson’s absolutely incredible debut — 17 straight points in the fourth quarter, 22 total, four threes, seven rebounds, all in just 18 minutes — and remember that the New Orleans Pelicans actually lost.
They might have taken down the San Antonio Spurs if head coach Alvin Gentry hadn’t taken Williamson out after one of the most unreal runs in any NBA debut. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t up to the rookie sensation.
“I ain’t the brightest coach in the world,” he told the media after the loss, “but I wouldn’t have taken him in those situations unless I was told to.”
Alvin Gentry said the doctors said that was it for Zion Williamson midway through the fourth quarter.
“I ain’t the brightest coach in the world but I wasn’t going to take him out unless I was told to.”
Adds: “I don’t think Sean would’ve taken (Drew Brees) out in that scenario.” pic.twitter.com/LrwX5G6XWV
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) January 23, 2020
Gentry added it was up to “the medical people.” And that’s that!
“Coach, I can win the game for this team. Leave me in."
—Alvin Gentry on what Zion said before he was subbed out (via @MarcJSpearsESPN) pic.twitter.com/DyQ2WvUGU4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 23, 2020
From a fan’s perspective, it’s lame, with Williamson living up to the prodigious hype and then some, and the Pels having the chance to make a run at the eighth seed in the West. Gentry’s name was still trending Thursday morning on Twitter with so many angry fans wondering why he took the forward out.
It was tough for Williamson, too:
Zion: "You know, I'm 19. Honestly, in that moment I'm not thinking about longevity, I'm thinking about winning that game. So it was very tough." pic.twitter.com/gz709wlPhL
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 23, 2020
Zion (22 PTS & 4 3PM) delivered a show-stopping performance in his debut! 👏 pic.twitter.com/bKfRNN834h
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 23, 2020
I don’t need to be a doctor to say Williamson’s knee has to be handled with the most care. Even though everyone piled on ESPN’s Mark Jackson for talking about Williamson’s weight, we have to remember that Williamson is a physical marvel, one who blew through a shoe in college while pivoting. If the load on his knees is a concern to begin with, then it should to take a while for him to ramp up to full speed after months off post-surgery.
As we saw, the future SO bright. Scarily so. Williamson could do it all on Wednesday night — inside, outside, ferociously grabbing rebounds for unstoppable put-backs, dishing out of double-teams. They need to handle him with the utmost care for now, particularly when he might still be in the middle of adjusting his kinetic chain, to figure out how to be the most efficient with that explosive body of his.
So lay off of Gentry, lay off of the medical staff who forced Williamson to the bench. It’s one game in what could be an unbelievable career.
[jwplayer VLAwdChv-q2aasYxh]